Lemuel
Religion says: God will love us if we change.
The Gospel says: God’s love changes us.
This profound distinction between religion and the Gospel is essential for our spiritual journey. Many people see faith as a process of changing oneself to earn God’s love, leading to anxiety and endless striving. However, the essence of the Gospel teaches us a liberating truth: it is not our changes that earn God’s love, but rather His love that transforms us from within. When we understand this, we embrace a relationship based on grace, acceptance, and the joy of being loved as we are.
As we experience God’s unconditional love, we are empowered to grow and change—not out of obligation, but as a natural response to that love. The more we allow ourselves to be loved, the more we realize our true identity as beloved children of God, prompting a transformation that emanates from the heart.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your incredible love that transcends our failures and shortcomings. Help us to grasp the depth of Your grace and to understand that we do not need to change to earn Your love. May Your love transform our hearts and minds, guiding us to live in alignment with Your will. Teach us to rest in Your assurance, knowing that as we experience Your love, we are changed. We pray for the strength to reflect this love to others, becoming vessels of Your grace in a world that desperately needs it. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
